Does anyone have a clown ministry at church that is looked d

[Jubilee]

I remember a year ago, on Good Friday, we did what is referred to as a "clown communion".
It is extremely moving, but it's hard to grasp the concept because it starts off with two clowns being somewhat silly and then it gets serious about what Christ did for us on the cross. One of our parishoners left because he felt it was inappropriate. He was really upset. I understand his heart wasn't to be mean or judgemental, he just didn't get it.
Rainbow Brite

[saphireSue]

There conferences are great and they also put out a magazine called 'The Cross and the Clown" it give great info and you get to more about others in the field

[saphireSue]

We're lucky, our supports our group and pay for yearly worshops/conferences, but we only perform at our church about twice a year. We use it more for out reach mission, ie back yard bible studies or any cumminty event that invites us. If any don't approve atleast they don't tell me....

[Jubilee]

Sapphire Sue,
Thanks. Yes, I subscribed to the magazine because they had a special rate on the conference if you did so. I'm excited to be going! It's so awesome.
Rainbow Brite

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I just got an e-mail from a clown that I was trying to network with. When she found out I was a Gospel Clown, she blew up. Her E-mail was very hurtful.
My question is, have any of you had problems with other (regular) clowns not accepting you as a gospel clown?

Merry Heart

[Anonymous]

I have never had any negative comments or experiences with any other clowns when it comes to my Christian Clowning. In fact, many times the secular clowns that I know and correspond with are excited that we carry on the clowning tradition while ministering to others. In a way we are all ministering to others while clowning, whether we intend to present the Lord's message or simply entertain for the enjoyment of others. My question would be what the other clown that you were talking to was so defensive or afraid of. Are you automatically without a sense of humor or to be devoid of fun if you are a believer. Sounds as if the other person has some things to work out. Hope this helps , May God Bless and Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Christian Clownin, tug

[Anonymous]

Dear Merry,

I believe the objection lies in the idea that groups of people know for having no resepct or feeling for the original belief system of others.

Missionary activity is something that makes people with other cultures and beliefs systems uncomfortable. Missionaries in human history are well known for putitng their own belifs forth at the expense of the cultures they come into contact with,.. often destroying them utterly and intentionally.

(look at the native hawaii's and native american tribes in American history alone)

SO when people start talking about using their clowning to minister to children it smacks loudly and somewhat offensively of propoganda. It comes across as people trying to convert your children behind your back.

And I'm sure all of the people here who have children would take offence to find out that their children were being taught that their beleif system was incorrect and that they should actually be scientologists or shiite muslims behind their parents backs.

Tha is one of the main causes of offence that MANY MANY people take.
And to have people start veiwing all clowns this way is somehitng that makes the other clowns uncomfortable.

There seems to be a real push in american clowning to dirve out allclowns that don't fit into a certain very small and mundane category. Especially any that don't jibe well with the christian mythos and some of it's tennets.

Also the attitude that those of us who do not believe in ministration through clowning are inherently wrong for doing things that don't fit into your beliefs is very off putting.

So it is a matter of unclear motivations and a history off shady behavior that make others take umbrage at the idea of people teaching gospel to children under the guise of clowning.


That and the attitude that ministry clowns take towards those who clown for anyone other than just little kids are what make other clowns (a few I know personally) and manymany normal peopel outside of the clowning community uncomfortable and very much distrusting of your actions.

I hope that clarifys things slightly and that with this knownledge you might be better able to bridge those gaps that pop up in this community.

Love and Puddles,
Inky Bobo,
(Loyal Sidekick)

[Binky]

I think there may be some confusion here. It is not other clowns who frown on clown ministry. It is non-clown congregation members. They feel that clowns have no place in the church and cannot convey the gospel like a pastor would. The "silly factor" of clowning, I believe, makes them feel that clowns cannot present a "serious" message.

[Jubilee]

Good point, Binky.
I will say that I feel people need to take the gospel serious and ourselves a lot less seriously!! That's part of the problem with people feeling that clowning as a ministry can't possibly be effective. They take themselves and their religion too seriously.
A clown at the conference I went to explained it well... She said that when we make people laugh first, we get their attention and their hearts are more open to hear the serious things of God. Why do we think that pastors use humor so much?
Sharone - Rainbow Brite

[Anonymous]

To Mercy Me;

you gotta understand that I've never done church or Christian clowning and I've seen very little of it, but I'd say stick to your guns, don't give up or get discouraged: to some no explaination is necessary-to others no explaination will do (paraphrased from Dr. Howard Hendricks-Dallas Theological Seminary).


Walmoe (Lloyd Williams)
Las Vegas, Nevada